SCRAWNY Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'scrawny' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scrawny are gaunt , lanky , lank , lean , rawboned , skinny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When could 'gaunt' be used to replace 'scrawny'?

The words gaunt and scrawny can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is 'lank' a more appropriate choice than 'scrawny'?

Although the words lank and scrawny have much in common, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: In what contexts can 'lanky' take the place of 'scrawny'?

The synonyms lanky and scrawny are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lean' instead of 'scrawny'?

While the synonyms lean and scrawny are close in meaning, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: When might 'rawboned' be a better fit than 'scrawny'?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrawny , rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: When can 'spare' be used instead of 'scrawny'?

In some situations, the words spare and scrawny are roughly equivalent. However, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

scrawny

adjective

Definition of scrawny next

as in skinny

very thin in a way that is not attractive or healthy He changed from a scrawny kid to a brawny teen in just over a year. The only plants in their yard were a couple of scrawny bushes.

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How does the adjective scrawny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scrawny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When could gaunt be used to replace scrawny?

The words gaunt and scrawny can be used in similar contexts, but gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than scrawny?

Although the words lank and scrawny have much in common, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

In what contexts can lanky take the place of scrawny?

The synonyms lanky and scrawny are sometimes interchangeable, but lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When is it sensible to use lean instead of scrawny?

While the synonyms lean and scrawny are close in meaning, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than scrawny?

While in some cases nearly identical to scrawny, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When can spare be used instead of scrawny?

In some situations, the words spare and scrawny are roughly equivalent. However, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scrawny Fish populations have thinned; alligators have become scrawny. —

Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 The casting notices are for a mother, an old woman, a scrawny old man and a 9-year-old girl. —

Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025 Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet. —

David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 The scrawny stray Marlon Brando stroked in The Godfather was found on the Paramount lot the morning of the shoot. —

Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scrawny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrawny

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Keep reading for what shoes go best with white skinny jeans right now.

— Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026
Her neutral-toned, matte-finish makeup, strappy black tank top, and skinny sunglasses are also very ‘90s, so thanks for the weekend glam inspo, Selena!

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026

Definition of skinny

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“Scrawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrawny. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of scrawny

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